Special Train.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 December 1942, Page 2

Special Train.

On Sunday, January 3, a special passenger train will leave Masterton for Wellington at 3.45 p.m., due to arrive at' Wellington at 7.40 p.m. Hostess Evening.

There was a large attendance at the weekly hostess evening held in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, Masterton, last night. Novelty dances were held and all present spent an enjoyable evening, A Christmas cake was distributed.

Rail Passenger Traffic. The Stationmaster at the Masterton Railway Station, Mr R. A. Taylor, said today that the number of travellers by rail within the last few days for distances under 100 miles was considerably lighter than in past years. For distances over 100 miles travel permits were necessary. Grass & Gorse Fire.

Yesterday afternoon the Masterton Fire Brigade received a call to a vacant section owned by the Masterton Borough Council and situated on the Waipoua River bank, adjacent to Bentley Street, where three quarters of an acre of gorse and grass was on fire. It is thought that a lighted match or a cigarette end thrown down in the section caused the fire. Low Prices for Potatoes.

Government appeals to the public to grow more potatoes and vegetables have undoubtedly resulted in the present low price of new potatoes, according to the president of the North Canterbury Grain and Seed Merchants’ Association. “The ordinary citizen is war-minded. He knew last year that potatoes were dear and vegetables scarce, and the result of the appeals has been good,” he said. This was one of the main reasons for the low prices. The present ceiling price fixed by the Government is £35 a ton to the farmers, but nothing like this price can be obtained by the grower today, as there is a glut on the market, he said. Another- factor was that a much larger number of potatoes had been planted by householders, who were now using their own potatoes. A leading Christchurch merchant contended that the low price was purely seasonal, though potatoes were certainly very cheap. Mr C. A. Sapsford, district officer of industry and commerce in Christchurch, said: “Potatoes are not lower than usual at this moment.”